Background information

The event industry is still strongly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 24 February 2021, the Government announced that it will allocate €4.9 million (NOK 50 million) to restructuring funds for companies associated with the event industry. Companies in the value chain related to the implementation of business-oriented events can apply for grants. The aim is to make the companies well equipped to scale up activity when the market picks up again. 19 March 2021, the scheme was opened for application. The application deadline is 7 April 2021.

Content of measure

The scheme directed toward the event industry has a budget of €4.9 million (NOK 50 million), and Innovation Norway will be the grant manager and administers the scheme. Innovation Norway is a Norwegian hybrid state-owned company established by law in 2003 with the aim of increasing innovation, growth and export for Norwegian businesses through capital and expertise. Innovation Norway manages funds for ministries and counties.

The target group of the scheme is companies that can document a fall in turnover of more than 30 per cent in the last five months of 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. The following NACE groups are mentioned as target: event catering activities (NACE 56,210), motion picture, video and television program production (NACE 59,110), computer programming activities (NACE 62,010), specialised design activities (NACE 74.1), rental and leasing activities (NACE 77), private security activities (NACE 80.1), organisation of conventions and trade shows (NACE 82.3), other business services activities n.e.c. (NACE 82.990) and support activities to performing arts (NACE 90.020).

Companies in the event industry can apply for grants to cover costs related to planned restructuring projects. This can be projects that facilitate adaption to infection control measures, changes in the market, or restructuring to other industries where resources are better utilised. The subsidy is aimed at restructuring existing companies and not general capacity expansion or new establishments. The restructuring projects must be completed in 2021.

EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) have approved the scheme.

Use of measure

No information.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Public support service providers	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Unknown	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Social partners involvement is unknown. Social partners may have had informal dialogue with government or/and members of parliament.

Views and reactions

The social partners are supportive of the measure.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 19 March 2021: The application portal for the event industry now opens (www.regjeringen.no)